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Frequently Asked Questions About Zero
Waste at Folsom Field
What is RalphieGÇÖ Green Stampede?
RalphieGÇÖs Green Stampede is CU-BoulderGÇÖs effort to eliminate waste
and cut carbon emissions from home football games. The zero waste
goal of the Stampede is to reduce, recycle or compost at least 90
percent of the waste generated at Folsom Field this year.
What is recyclable?
Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, clean/balled foil as well as
cardboard and other light-colored paper. Plastic cups are not
currently recyclable off campus but are being tested here at
CU.
Where do recyclables go?
After the game, barrels and bags are sorted at CUGÇÖs Intermediate
Processing Facility (IPF) next to the Stadium. Cans, bottles, and
clean foil as well as cardboard boxes are picked up by Eco-Cycle
and taken to Boulder CountyGÇÖs recycling facility where materials
are baled and shipped to recycling mills.
What is compost?
Compost is a valuable soil amendment produced by the controlled
decomposition of specific organic materials. Compost has some
amazing benefits including:
? reducing the need for fertilizers
? reducing the need for water
? preventing erosion
? preventing creation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
What can I compost at the Stadium?
Unlike backyard composting, the GÇ£industrial-strengthGÇ¥ composting
process for this event enables the following materials to be
accepted:
Food, meat and bones, soiled paper napkins, paper cups, compostable
packaging, and paper towels from bathrooms.
What is compostable packaging?
Packaging made from organic materials can be composted along with
food scraps in commercial composting facilities. Main types of
compostable packaging are untreated paper, sugar cane pulp
(bagasse), polylactic acid (PLA), and Plant Starch Material
(PSM).
Bagasse is made from leftover sugarcane stalks, which were
previously burned or thrown away, to create products that feel like
paper, but are less expensive.
Polylactic acid (PLA), and Plant Starch Material (PSM) are the
result of progress in biotechnology. Processes can now extract
sugars and starches from plant matter. These can be converted into
resins that are then formed into usable products, using 65% less
resources versus conventional plastics.
Where do compostables go?
Western Disposal composts the organic fraction from the stadium
separately for CU-specific testing and quality control at itGÇÖs
permitted composting facility in Boulder. Finished compost will be
returned to CU as a valuable soil amendment.
What is zero waste and is it really
possible?
The goal of Zero Waste is to recycle or compost ninety percent or
more of all materials. More importantly though, zero waste moves
beyond GÇ£waste disposalGÇ¥ and even GÇ£waste diversionGÇ¥ by trying to
design waste out of products and packaging completely.
Zero waste is no longer an idealistic vision but a practical
cornerstone of sustainability. Newsweek for instance, listed zero
waste at the top of its list of ten fixes for the planet.
CU first envisioned a waste free campus in its 2006 Blueprint
for a Green Campus. Since then, CUGÇÖs waste has decreased, despite
record-levels of enrollment and new construction. This saves
disposal costs, earns revenues from robust recycling markets, and
employs students who make a difference with their degree.
Where can I get more info?
Visit CU Recycling at the Environmental Center in the UMC, room 355
or on the web: www.recycling.colorado.edu.
For more information about compostable packaging, visit
Eco-Products at http://www.ecoproducts.com
Ralphie's Green Stampede Fact Sheet
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